Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy

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The objective of the Department of History, Political Science and Philosophy is to provide a thorough and dynamic liberal arts education with a multicultural perspective. The majors and subject areas offered by the department are structured to prepare graduates for further education or for careers in pertinent fields.

Students selecting a major in the department are expected to gain knowledge appropriate to their subject area and to demonstrate what has been learned through courses, internships, and extracurricular activities. Since the process of learning is ongoing, graduates of the department are expected to stay in touch with faculty and to offer insights and advice to current students when possible.

The department faculty is a collection of outstanding scholars and dedicated teachers engaged in active research in a variety of areas. Its research and publication record is second to none on the DSU campus. It has won the annual Faculty Excellence Awards in research, teaching and service a number of times. Students have the opportunity to work closely with these professors, especially during their Senior Capstone experience. The faculty pledges to collectively do their best in the areas of teaching, research, and service so as to ensure that students will derive maximum benefits from their matriculation.

Click here to view the history, political science and philosophy catalog and course descriptions.

HISTORY MAJOR: There are two History curricula: a straight History and a History with a Social Studies Concentration. A student who chooses History as a major must complete the requirements of either one of these curricula, and must satisfy the General Education Requirements prescribed by the University. A total of thirty six (36) hours of history are required. A student must complete History 101, 102, 201 and 202, or 101, 102, 203 and 204. All majors must also take History 205, 290, 446 and 475. The remaining twelve hours must be at the 300-400 level in either of two concentrations: American and World. History majors must also have six hours of Social Science electives (to be met with 300-400 level course in Economics and other business courses, Mass Communications, Political Science, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Psychology, Education, and other social sciences.), and six hours of Arts and Humanities electives (300-400) level course in Art, Art History, Philosophy, English and Foreign Languages, and other humanities courses). All history majors must earn a ‘C’ or better in all history courses, General Education core courses, and other required courses as designated on the curriculum sheet.

POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR: To graduate with a major in political science a student must satisfy the General Education Requirements prescribed by the University and complete thirty-six (36) hours course work in political science at a grade of ‘C’ or better. These include the following required courses: PS 103 (Introduction to Political Science); PS 200 (American National Government); PS 210 (Contemporary Political Ideologies); PS 220 (Comparative Government); PS 230 (International Politics). PS 214 (Research Methods, or its equivalent as approved by the Chair), and PS 475 (Senior Capstone). In addition, students must take and pass with a ‘C’ or better 18 hours of political science elective courses at the 300-400 level. Majors must also take and pass the following required courses with a grade of ‘C’ or better: Economics 201 (Macroeconomics); Economics 202 (Microeconomics); Philosophy 101 (Critical Thinking) and another three hours of Philosophy electives. Although not required for a major in political science, students who intend to pursue an MA, MPA, or Ph.D. are strongly encouraged to take Elementary Statistics, Advanced Statistics, and other research-related courses. With the approval of the political science advisor and/or the department chair, students may substitute up to nine hours of PS 330 (Field Work) and/or PS 470 (Internship) for an equivalent amount of credit in the requirement of 18 hours.

PHILOSOPHY: The philosophy courses are designed to deepen and broaden the student's interest in and understanding of certain fundamental issues concerning the nature of existence, knowledge, and values. This involves critical reflection on the justification of basic human beliefs (e.g., free will, the existence of God) and analysis of the concepts in terms of which such beliefs are expressed. See course listings in order to determine the specific philosophy courses that are included in the University’s general education curriculum. While no philosophy course has a prerequisite, it is strongly recommended that students complete Philosophy 101 (Critical Thinking), or Philosophy 201 (Introduction to Philosophy), preferably both, before taking any 300 or 400 level philosophy course.

MINORS

HISTORY MINOR: For a minor in history, students must pass with a ‘C’ or better twenty-one (21) semester hours as follows: History 101, 102, 290 and twelve additional hours of which nine hours must be at or above the 300 level. At least 3 hours each in World and American history must be included.

POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR: A minor in political science requires twenty-one (21) hours of political science course work with a grade of C or better in each course. This is distributed as follows: PS 103 (Introduction to Political Science); PS 200 (American National Government); PS 210 (Contemporary Political Ideologies); PS 220 (Comparative Government); PS 230 (International Politics); and six additional hours at the 300 and 400 levels.

PHILOSOPHY MINOR:For a minor in philosophy, a student must passwith a ‘C’ or better fifteen hours of philosophy courses distributed as follows: Philosophy 201, 206, either 300 or 302 and any two electives in philosophy. Students interested in a minor in philosophy may obtain further information from the department office, and also from the philosophy faculty.